IF you drive around the City Hall area these days, don't be surprised to find more stretches of freshly resurfaced roads.
It's all part of the preparation for the first night race in Formula 1 history that will take place here in September.
And it's apt that road works for the 2008 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix are also carried out at night.
So while you may be asleep, 20 to 30 workers work on the roads that will form the race track.
They have to lay a stronger asphalt surface which uses a polymer modified binder that can withstand the high shear force exerted by the cars.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been carrying out the works, which are expected to stretch from April to June.
The work takes place between midnight and 6am, Mondays to Fridays.
This, according to the LTA is to 'minimise impact to traffic flow as well as disruption to the establishments in the vicinity, especially during the weekends'.
The area is not entirely closed while the work is on, though the road is.
Those who want to drive in are directed to alternative routes, with directional signs, auxiliary police and traffic marshals guiding them.
Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) requirements make it necessary that the width of the entire track be resurfaced at the same time.
Mr Yam Ah Mee, LTA's chief executive said: 'As we gear up for the Singapore F1 race in September, we are pleased that the necessary infrastructure works are progressing well ahead of schedule.
'As far as possible, we will strive to minimise the impact that the road works will have on motorists and members of the public, while ensuring the track will be completed in good time for handing over to the F1 race organiser.'
And when they need to take a break, what do the workers do?
They rest right in the middle of the otherwise busy road.
